School Type: Public	School Setting: Urban
Level: High	School Design: Alternative
Content Presented By:
National Awards Program for Model Professional Development

Background Context

Demographics

International High School (IHS) was established in 1985 as part of the alternative high school system in New York City and the Center for Collaborative Education. IHS targets the needs of limited English-speaking adolescents who have been in the U.S. four years or less. To enter, students must score below the 20^th percentile on the English Language Assessment Battery. The school serves approximately 450 students in Grades 9-12, and shares its campus with LaGuardia Community College.

Student Racial/Ethnic Composition:

45% Hispanic
30% Asian or Pacific Islander
22% White (not of Hispanic origin)
2% African American (not of Hispanic origin)

LEP Students: 73%
Number of Languages: 37
Qualify for Free/Reduced Price Lunch: 82%
Receive Special Education Services: 0%

Background

IHS's Comprehensive Educational Plan specifies that for effective professional development, three elements are indispensable: shared leadership, diversity of philosophy and teaching styles, and consensus. Professional development is infused into, rather than added onto, the school culture through constant reflection. Professional development experiences for IHS faculty model the kinds of innovative teaching strategies (e.g., collaborative learning, portfolio assessment) that the teachers use in their classrooms.

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